United Republic of Tanzania / Burundi

United Republic of Tanzania / Burundi

ARUSHA, Tanzania, July 1, 2009/African Press Organization (APO)/ — Daily press briefing by the office of the spokesperson for the UN secretary-general.

On Tanzania-Burundi refugees, the UN refugee agency, UNHCR, has welcomed a decision by the Tanzanian Government to give more time for the voluntary repatriation of some 36,000 Burundians living in the Mtabila refugee camp in north-western Tanzania.

This last remaining camp hosting Burundian refugees in Tanzania was scheduled for closure today, 30 June, when all its residents were expected to voluntarily repatriate home.

But the Tanzanian Government has announced that the refugees will now have the chance to plan their return home during the traditional high season for repatriation which runs to the end of September.

The Tanzanian Government has also given the assurance that no refugee will be forcibly repatriated.